New data on congenital syphilis, released by the World Health Organisation, shows that that there were more than half a million (around 661,000) total cases of congenital syphilis in 2016. This is known as ‘congenital syphilis’, which is often fatal. Congenital syphilis is the second leading cause of preventable stillbirth globally, preceded only by malaria. Out of the 661,000 total cases of congenital syphilis, there were 355,000 newborn deaths and ailments. Estimated adverse birth outcomes due to congenital syphilis decreased slightly from 397,000 to 355,000.

Source: Daily Nation March 05, 2019 07:30 UTC